Cheap Grace Or Free Grace?

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Nov 22, 2015
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#1
This is a question a person had concerning the terms used for grace...such as free, cheap grace.

I thought the guy answered it well considering the many derogatory things being said about the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ towards us in His great love for us..

Q. I am disturbed by a pastor who is always attacking those who teach OSAS and salvation by Grace alone. I am sure you have met many like him in your days of ministry. He keeps on referring to this as cheap grace and of course as expected, he rubbishes this. What do you say about this thing he calls cheap Grace? Is it okay to refer to what we believe this way?



A. In my opinion “cheap grace” is a derogatory phrase. People who use it contend that some ongoing contribution of good works is required to achieve or maintain our salvation. They say people who believe that salvation is attained by the grace of God through faith alone have devalued the gospel and are taking the Lord’s death on our behalf as a license to sin without consequences. Hence the term “cheap grace.”

What they’re really saying is they don’t believe Jesus did everything required to save us, but only began the work of our salvation and now it’s up to us to complete it by behaving in a certain way. According to them, the failure to do so will result in the loss of our salvation. (Sadly, some of them have made themselves the judge as to whether not our behavior meets the standard.)

They say this in spite of the fact the Bible does say we’re saved by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). It says we were included in Christ from the moment we believed and God has put His mark of ownership on us and His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance (2 Cor. 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:13-14).

It says a righteousness from God has been imputed to us because of our belief in what Jesus did for us at the cross. It says there is no difference in people for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but we are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:21-24). This last verse tells us that the appropriate name for what we believe is “free grace” not “cheap grace.”

No truly born again Christian believes he or she has been granted a license to sin. On the contrary, we believe we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the Lord who saved us, and understand that trying to behave in a manner pleasing to Him is how we express that gratitude. But we also understand that no amount of “good works” can make us righteous. That’s why we need a Savior.
 
L

ladylynn

Guest
#2


I posted this on your other thread Grace777, but it so applies to how we are to walk IN assurance. Notice how the Amplified Bible puts it.; THAT TRANQUIL STATE OF A SOUL ASSURED OF ITS SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST. AND SO FEARING NOTHING FROM GOD.

Perfect love casts out our fears. How can Christians have a tranquil state of mind if their soul is not assured of it's salvation???? How can we even go out the door to meet the day unless we know God is for us so who can be against us?? I for one don't leave my house without that assurance. We need the Savior not only for our future destiny in heaven but the here and now is our learning about how much we CAN count on Him. If we can't see His hand in our life today., how can we trust Him for tomorrow? He wants us to be in a working relationship with Him and walk in the confidence of a soul assured of it's salvation. And a friend who sticks closer than a brother. :) How do people even imagine a life like this without the beautiful doctrines of grace??????


Phil.4:6-9 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, continue to make your requests made known to God.

And God's peace shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
 
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Nov 22, 2015
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#3
Well said...We have a good, loving Father and an awesome great salvation in Jesus our Lord..His blood paid for us!



JesusPaiditAll.png






I posted this on your other thread Grace777, but it so applies to how we are to walk IN assurance. Notice how the Amplified Bible puts it.; THAT TRANQUIL STATE OF A SOUL ASSURED OF ITS SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST. AND SO FEARING NOTHING FROM GOD.

Perfect love casts out our fears. How can Christians have a tranquil state of mind if their soul is not assured of it's salvation???? How can we even go out the door to meet the day unless we know God is for us so who can be against us?? I for one don't leave my house without that assurance. We need the Savior not only for our future destiny in heaven but the here and now is our learning about how much we CAN count on Him. If we can't see His hand in our life today., how can we trust Him for tomorrow? He wants us to be in a working relationship with Him and walk in the confidence of a soul assured of it's salvation. And a friend who sticks closer than a brother. :) Have a great day!!!






Phil.4:6-9 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, continue to make your requests made known to God.

And God's peace shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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#4
it's wrong to teach that our salvation is earned; it is a free gift of grace - and equally wrong to say we should bury our talent in the sand, so to speak; we're saved unto the good works prepared for us.

there is a way to teach & understand this gospel without division or error.

the grace we received was not bought cheaply - but at the price of Christ's spilled blood!
 
Sep 4, 2012
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#6
Lawless grace (that can't save) teaches that a person's conduct is irrelevant to salvation. For example,

"No sin will separate us from the lamb, even though we commit fornication and murder a thousand times a day." Martin Luther

GOD's grace that does save teaches differently.

For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:11-13
 
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p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
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#7
it's wrong to teach that our salvation is earned; it is a free gift of grace - and equally wrong to say we should bury our talent in the sand, so to speak; we're saved unto the good works prepared for us.

there is a way to teach & understand this gospel without division or error.

the grace we received was not bought cheaply - but at the price of Christ's spilled blood!

AND..................AND...............we were purchased FOR A PURPOSE!

(.........sigh..........don't really wanna get into YET ANOTHER OSAS thread........so.........)

:)
 
Nov 22, 2015
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#8
God's purpose for us ..so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus ...ages to come...wow

Ephesians 2:4-10 (NASB)
[SUP]4 [/SUP] But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
[SUP]5 [/SUP] even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
[SUP]6 [/SUP] and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
[SUP]7 [/SUP] so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
[SUP]8 [/SUP] For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
[SUP]9 [/SUP] not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
[SUP]10 [/SUP] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

In all the ages to come we will be walking in His good works that He has created in us to do towards all our brethren....

We have a great salvation in our Lord..and we have a good, loving Father!
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#11
“You’re worried about permissiveness—about the way the preaching of grace seems to say it’s okay to do all kinds of terrible things as long as you just walk in afterward and take the free gift of God’s forgiveness… While you and I may be worried about seeming to give permission, Jesus apparently wasn’t. He wasn’t afraid of giving the prodigal son a kiss instead of a lecture, a party instead of probation; and he proved that by bringing in the elder brother at the end of the story and having him raise pretty much the same objections you do. He’s angry about the party. He complains that his father is lowering standards and ignoring virtue—that music, dancing, and a fattened calf are, in effect, just so many permissions to break the law. And to that, Jesus has the father say only one thing: “Cut that out! We’re not playing good boys and bad boys anymore. Your brother was dead and he’s alive again. The name of the game from now on is resurrection, not bookkeeping.” – Robert Farrar Capon, Between Noon and Three
 
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Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
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#12
Grace doesn't really make any sense.

Why give laws and then give Grace? Why not just one or the other?

Because Gods Ways are not our ways.

Gods Grace (and mercy) allow us to come to Him to be changed. To be made more like Him. This is the cause for any of our obedience to any of His Law.

What were you like before coming to Christ? Anxious, sinful, angry, selfish, etc...

What were you like after knowing that coming to Christ changes us? You were made to know peace, joy, love, self-control, etc..

But you don't know perfect peace. You don't know perfect joy. You don't know perfect love. If you did then you wouldn't need to abide in Christ. You would be able to do, apart from Christ.

And so His Grace is sufficient for us. Until we can know perfect peace. Until we can know perfect joy. Until we know perfect Love.

Permissiveness... pshhhh. That's a carnal concept from carnal men with no understanding of who Christ is or what He does for us and in us.

Anyone who has been to Christ knows that the only works they can perform that make any difference in their lives is the work of coming to Christ. All of the good work that flow from that act are caused by coming to Christ and being changed.


Cheap Grace? I suppose anyone who gives Grace a derogatory term doesn't understand the price that our Lord and King paid for us before and during the Cross.

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
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#13
“You’re worried about permissiveness—about the way the preaching of grace seems to say it’s okay to do all kinds of terrible things as long as you just walk in afterward and take the free gift of God’s forgiveness… While you and I may be worried about seeming to give permission, Jesus apparently wasn’t. He wasn’t afraid of giving the prodigal son a kiss instead of a lecture, a party instead of probation; and he proved that by bringing in the elder brother at the end of the story and having him raise pretty much the same objections you do. He’s angry about the party. He complains that his father is lowering standards and ignoring virtue—that music, dancing, and a fattened calf are, in effect, just so many permissions to break the law. And to that, Jesus has the father say only one thing: “Cut that out! We’re not playing good boys and bad boys anymore. Your brother was dead and he’s alive again. The name of the game from now on is resurrection, not bookkeeping.” – Robert Farrar Capon, Between Noon and Three
If you put a magnifying glass up to Grace and really look at it, it is a permissiveness.

It's taking a sinner, who deserves death, and giving them Life.

Its taking a person with no godliness in them and giving them the down payment of Eternal Life.

The sinner sinned his/her whole life and then, just because they asked (?), they receive Salvation and Eternal Life. There are workers who have been working at the law since they were able to remember and they know that this isn't fair. Not to our carnal minds. You get what you deserve, right?

No. The Lord puts all that away and gives you what you don't deserve. Grace and Mercy and Eternal Life.
 
Nov 22, 2015
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#14
well said Grandpa!...we have a good, loving, faithful Father and a great salvation freely given to us in our Lord Jesus!

That's why it's true name = "Amazing Grace"


If you put a magnifying glass up to Grace and really look at it, it is a permissiveness.

It's taking a sinner, who deserves death, and giving them Life.

Its taking a person with no godliness in them and giving them the down payment of Eternal Life.

The sinner sinned his/her whole life and then, just because they asked (?), they receive Salvation and Eternal Life. There are workers who have been working at the law since they were able to remember and they know that this isn't fair. Not to our carnal minds. You get what you deserve, right?

No. The Lord puts all that away and gives you what you don't deserve. Grace and Mercy and Eternal Life.
 
G

Gr8grace

Guest
#16
Grace doesn't really make any sense.

Why give laws and then give Grace? Why not just one or the other?

Because Gods Ways are not our ways.

Gods Grace (and mercy) allow us to come to Him to be changed. To be made more like Him. This is the cause for any of our obedience to any of His Law.

What were you like before coming to Christ? Anxious, sinful, angry, selfish, etc...

What were you like after knowing that coming to Christ changes us? You were made to know peace, joy, love, self-control, etc..

But you don't know perfect peace. You don't know perfect joy. You don't know perfect love. If you did then you wouldn't need to abide in Christ. You would be able to do, apart from Christ.

And so His Grace is sufficient for us. Until we can know perfect peace. Until we can know perfect joy. Until we know perfect Love.

Permissiveness... pshhhh. That's a carnal concept from carnal men with no understanding of who Christ is or what He does for us and in us.

Anyone who has been to Christ knows that the only works they can perform that make any difference in their lives is the work of coming to Christ. All of the good work that flow from that act are caused by coming to Christ and being changed.


Cheap Grace? I suppose anyone who gives Grace a derogatory term doesn't understand the price that our Lord and King paid for us before and during the Cross.

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Law and grace? why both? I think we can know.

Why would eating a piece of fruit be so bad? Why wasn't it "thou shalt not murder" or "thou shalt not get drunk" or "thou shalt not lie" or "thou shalt not steal" or " thou shalt not smoke from the tree of doobie"It really is not about sin. God dealt with sin on the Cross.....its finished.




We can't live independently from the Lord Jesus Christ. We need God. The law shows us we need Him, Grace is Him there for us.

This whole big game/life is teaching us that we CANNOT do it independently from God.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
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#17
It's finished, but we still reap what we sow, whether corruption from the flesh, or life from the Spirit.
 
F

FreeNChrist

Guest
#18
If you put a magnifying glass up to Grace and really look at it, it is a permissiveness.

It's taking a sinner, who deserves death, and giving them Life.

Its taking a person with no godliness in them and giving them the down payment of Eternal Life.

The sinner sinned his/her whole life and then, just because they asked (?), they receive Salvation and Eternal Life. There are workers who have been working at the law since they were able to remember and they know that this isn't fair. Not to our carnal minds. You get what you deserve, right?

No. The Lord puts all that away and gives you what you don't deserve. Grace and Mercy and Eternal Life.
And isn't that what Paul said, that all things are permissible, but not all things are profitable? That's what it's like under grace. Your free, now what will you do with your freedom?
 
G

Gr8grace

Guest
#19
It's finished, but we still reap what we sow, whether corruption from the flesh, or life from the Spirit.
Crossnote, how many times have you not reaped what you've sown? How many times have you made bad decisions and everything went well? How many times have you made good decisions and everything went bad?

We do reap what we sow, but there is also the principle of grace attached to that.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
3,650
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#20
Crossnote, how many times have you not reaped what you've sown? How many times have you made bad decisions and everything went well? How many times have you made good decisions and everything went bad?

We do reap what we sow, but there is also the principle of grace attached to that.
Things may have gone well to my understanding but perhaps not in God's long range plans.
We are not to lean on our own understanding as His ways are not ours.